Do corticosteroids affect adrenergic receptors?

[Christine G]

Does the use of corticosteroids have any effects in common with using adrenergic agonists, particularly the following?

 

- Release of catecholamines

- Arousal of the sympathetic nervous system

- Stimulation of adrenergic receptors (directly or indirectly)

I searched on Google Scholar for "corticosteroids" and "adrenergic" and found a few papers linking the two together, but overall my impression is that the only thing cortisol and epinephrine/norepinephrine have in common is that they are produced in the adrenal gland; otherwise they are essentially unrelated.

 

Or have I totally misunderstood?

[Ahsan Iqbal]

Does the use of corticosteroids have any effects in common with using adrenergic agonists, particularly the following?

 

- Release of catecholamines

- Arousal of the sympathetic nervous system

- Stimulation of adrenergic receptors (directly or indirectly)

I searched on Google Scholar for "corticosteroids" and "adrenergic" and found a few papers linking the two together, but overall my impression is that the only thing cortisol and epinephrine/norepinephrine have in common is that they are produced in the adrenal gland; otherwise they are essentially unrelated.

 

Or have I totally misunderstood?

 

I am a medical student and I would really like this problem solved. I will try to find a solution and then let you know but if someone else has the requisite knowledge, please let us have it as well.

[Christine G]

Thanks Ahsan!

 

My reason for asking is that I have had adverse reactions to adrenergic agonists, for an unknown reason. A doctor I'm seeing is planning to prescribe me a corticosteroid, and I want to make sure I won't have the same type of adverse reaction. I'll definitely ask for his opinion, but it would be good to know a bit of the basic science beforehand.

[Ahsan Iqbal]

Thanks Ahsan!

 

My reason for asking is that I have had adverse reactions to adrenergic agonists, for an unknown reason. A doctor I'm seeing is planning to prescribe me a corticosteroid, and I want to make sure I won't have the same type of adverse reaction. I'll definitely ask for his opinion, but it would be good to know a bit of the basic science beforehand.

 

I hope you find the knowledge you are looking for. Best of luck

[Abscess]

Does the use of corticosteroids have any effects in common with using adrenergic agonists, particularly the following?

 

- Release of catecholamines

- Arousal of the sympathetic nervous system

- Stimulation of adrenergic receptors (directly or indirectly)

I searched on Google Scholar for "corticosteroids" and "adrenergic" and found a few papers linking the two together, but overall my impression is that the only thing cortisol and epinephrine/norepinephrine have in common is that they are produced in the adrenal gland; otherwise they are essentially unrelated.

 

Or have I totally misunderstood?

 

 

Yes. Corticosteroids (Cortisol) upregulate a1 receptors on arterioles which means that it is more responsive to catecholamines. Increased cortisol = increased a1 = more vasoconstriction, and vice versa.